After his swearing in January 27th, 2016 as Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello made his first homecoming trip to his Okene hometown on April 2nd, 2016 where an unprecedented tumultuous crowd received him into the Azad palace of the former Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Late Dr. Ado Ibrahim CON.
Bello had emerged as the first Ebira man from the central senatorial district to be elected as governor of the state since creation.
ebirareporters.com takes it back to the day, and his homecoming speech themed “Home is Where the Heart is…”
Read below:
There is a passion to life in Okene which endears it to anyone who is fortunate to be born, to be raised or to live in it. For a true Okene person, even if he is not Ebira, that passion cannot be found anywhere else. I know what Charles Dickens, the great English writer meant when he said that ‘…every traveler has a home of his own, and he learns to appreciate it the more from his wandering.’ My search for self- actualization may have taken me to distant lands and nearby places but Okene is always home. These mountains, these valleys, these great undulating terrains, are full of strong memories for me. My heart is here.
I totally agree with Joseph Conrad’s statement, ‘We wander…over the face of the earth, the illustrious and the obscure, earning…our fame, our money, or only a crust of bread; but it seems to me that for each of us going home must be like going to render an account.’ On December 6, 2015, shortly after I emerged Governor-Elect of Kogi State, I returned home to you so we could celebrate and thank the Almighty together. Today, I feel like I have come home to render an account of my stewardship of Kogi State, her people and her resources in the 2 months and 5 days I have served as Governor.
Well, like we expected before running for the Office, we met a Kogi State that was severely challenged in every way imaginable. Civil Servants were being owed months of salaries, the debt burden was high, the Treasury was empty, security across the State had deteriorated, infrastructure decay or no infrastructure at all was the norm, among many other troubles. The reality on ground everywhere was enough to discourage anyone. Thank God we were prepared.
The first things we realized was that Kogi State will not tolerate excuses, so we got down to work. I am glad to report that some of the innovations and solutions we deployed to achieve results, especially the Quick-Wins, are already paying off handsomely. Others will take a little more time to mature.
We have started cleaning up the Civil Service. You will not believe the level of subversion of the State’s loyal workforce that our Screening Team has uncovered. We found one person putting as many as 300 ghost-workers on the payroll of a Local Government somewhere. And he is just one of many. The temptation to use the money available for other things was great, but we have chosen to prioritize the welfare of our workers. In that regard, we have paid two salaries in less than two months.
We paid the first batch of salaries across board and without asking too many questions even though we knew the nominal rolls were compromised. This was to help actual workers who needed money to handle their responsibilities. The second batch we paid with the personal guarantee of the Head of each MDA because we reasoned that Change begins with each of us, and a leader should know those working under his immediate supervision. By the time we conclude the Screening, it is our intention that only actual workers will be taking salaries from the State. We will also let the Law take its course with those suspected of putting ghosts into the system.
Infrastructurally, we have started repairing some critical roads and drainages to reduce the adverse impact of the rainy season on our people. Okene and environs are some of the beneficiaries so far. I will inspect the projects here before leaving today. The waterworks are also getting some attention right now. We have refurbished and operationalized 3 Health Care Centres across the State within these same 2 months. These interventions are obviously Quick-Wins.
More detailed and systematic infrastructural developments are coming as soon as we conclude work on our Blueprint within the next 30 days.
The New Direction Blueprint Team has now visited every LGA in Kogi State. They held Town Hall meetings and met leaders down to the grassroots. We now have a fair idea of the immediate needs of our communities. Next week they will start visiting 4 states who have succeeded in areas we are interested in. The Team is led by my Senior Special Assistant on Research, Development and Speech-Writing. They are closely supervised by my Chief of Staff who reports directly to me.
My direct oversight of the New Direction Blueprint Team underscores my personal commitment to implement the outcomes from their work. I am determined that no one will do theoretical consulting for Kogi People. Evidence-based needs assessment is what we have ordered for and we will get it. Thereafter, the Team will develop innovative and cost-effective solutions for virtually all Community clusters in Kogi State. All we need is your sustained support.
His Majesty, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, our father and the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, is the foremost traditional Institution of Ebira People. He has his Seat in Okene. Anyone who wishes to encounter the pure glory and undiluted splendor of Ebira Culture must start here, at His Majesty’s feet. It is for this reason we have chosen to commence our Administration’s official engagements with His Majesty’s Domain from his Royal City of Okene. My Administration will definitely touch every part of Ebiraland within the context of proportionate equity to all parts of Kogi State.
Ebiraland has lost many colossal leaders in recent times to death, both through natural incidents and intragic accidents. The list reads like a Who is Who in Ebiraland. Great men like Ibrahim Attah, Sanni Omolori, Senator A.T Ahmed, Usman Ovatemi, Adamu Attah, Musa Etudaiye, John Lawal, Shuaibu Omoyayi, and others. Their passing is a great loss to our land. I condole with the Ebira nation, and their immediate families. [Let us rise and observe one-minute silence in memory of them]. May their souls rest in peace.
Their deaths should also remind us that we cannot be losing people through uncontrollable circumstances, and be losing others through entirely preventable crises. As our history shows, it is in the DNA of every Ebira person to fight Injustice. We do not tolerate it. Our forefathers gave up their homelands and fought wars rather than suffer oppression at the hands of anyone. That is a good trait, but I fear that with the abatement of intertribal hostilities and external aggressors a generation of Ebira has arisen who believe this attribute means we cannot forgive our brothers when they wrong us or that we must fight ourselves at the slightest provocation. Otherwise, how do you explain the frequent unrests in Okene, and Ebiraland?
The Almighty God, for reasons He alone understands, orchestrated the events that produced me as Governor even against the expectations of many.
My People of Ebiraland must work with me to reassure the rest of our People in Kogi State that Ebira People can be both gracious and competent in leadership. I am here today to say it is in the best interests of the Ebira to let peace prevail among ourselves. It is only in the atmosphere of peace that our acumen and enterprise will find the most forceful expression, leading to more prosperity in our Land.
We are working round the clock to improve the parlous security situation we met. I sound a warning here to those who provoke unrest in Okene, or elsewhere in Ebiraland. I also warn those who will allow themselves to be provoked. Remember that even though Iam your kin I am also the Governor and Chief Security Officer of Kogi State.
I will not hesitate to wield the big stick even against my own family members if they threaten the Peace or Security of any person or part of Kogi State. Every person across Kogi State will be well-advised not to break the Law. If you do, I will ensure that the Law is merciless in return.
I vowed to keep the People of this State safe. I will do so. For those who have chosen a life of crime, especially violent crimes, I guarantee them it is the wrong choice. My Administration and the Security Outfits are designing unusual modalities to checkmate crimes and criminals across Kogi State. We are working hard and smart to make Kogi crime-free. I remind every robber, kidnapper and other criminal types as well as those who aid and abet them that there is no Statute of Limitation on crimes. Criminals are therefore advised in their own best interests to move out of Kogi State with all haste. We are coming for you, and be rest assured we will get you.
I have said it many times before, and I repeat it here, that President Muhammadu Buhari is the one man I consider a mentor and will follow without question. His dignity and honesty have become my aspiration. Today, I want to quote him extensively again, and while interchanging ‘Nigeria’ with ‘Kogi State’, I hereby adopt these words of his as my own:
‘‘I am a Nigerian and Nigeria is my country. I have no place else on earth to call home except Nigeria. If Nigeria fails I fail. If Nigeria succeeds I will be exalted among the nations. I must therefore do whatever it takes, beyond the limits of my natural abilities, to ensure this Nigeria does not fail. I will do my bit and ensure everyone else around me do theirs.
I will not be an agent of division or subversion, because in so doing I hurt not only others but my myself. I will support my government to enable them have the courage to always do what is right, and where I feel they are failing, I will make my voice heard, not to ridicule or abuse, but to proffer better alternatives.
I believe that the labours of our heroes past shallnever be in vain, and I also believe that the pains I feel today are sacrifices being made for Nigeria to rise again because only God anoints leaders and Nigeria is a blessed country…this is my stand, and may God give me the courage to always stand for what is right at all times. Amen.”
My People, I need you to succeed in this sacred trust that God has committed into my hands as Governor of Kogi State. If we are not united, how can we expect Kogi State to be united under my leadership? If every Ebira Person does what is right as a Nigerian and a Kogite, it will create a critical mass of right- acting citizens and influence others to start acting the same way. In time, our State will become a model for others to emulate.
It is a great pleasure to be here today and to share this quality time with you. I have spoken my mind here because I cannot play politics with my own kindred. The incidents of the past in which deserving sons of Ebiraland lost in the field of contest to others because of clannish interests were painful and must never be repeated. I will promote the collective greatness of one indivisible Anebira over any clan or parochial interest. We are strongest together.
His Majesty, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, Atta the 3rd, Ohinoyi of Ebiraland and Vice Chair of the Kogi State Council of Traditional Leaders, I salute you again sir. Your hospitality today has been nothing if not Royal. May God who extinguished every court case against your reign also give us like peace in our Administration. May Your Majesty’s Reign be long and fruitful.
The Chairman Okene Local Government Area, the Local Government Legislature, members of the Judiciary, other traditional rulers, community leaders, political appointees, members of every clan and all Ebira People worldwide, august visitors, residents and friends from other states and places, thank you for your presence and patience.
God bless you all
